In response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist acts, students at my small, private school (which has a multicultural population) resolved to make 1000 paper cranes to commemorate the innocent lives that were lost in these attacks, and to honor of all those who strive to rescue, to serve and to help. Many students wrote their thoughts and prayers on the paper before folding it into this international symbol of peace.

The art of origami requires some skill, and older students taught younger students, Korean students helped American students, and students of one faith and belief system helped those of other faiths and beliefs, as all worked together towards this common goal...one crane at a time.

As we planned how to display them, we agreed that the small cranes would surround one magnificent pure white crane, which was made from several pieces of drawing paper, carefully taped together and then folded.

On October 11, 2001--on the one month anniversary of the attack--we carefully carried the cranes from the art building to our school's main building and began hanging them from the 14-foot ceiling of the dining hall.